The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-01-08

advantage OF distance, In which to give impetu
10 the thrust, which would be denied In an at
tempt against himself These interesting
arguments, although listened to with patience
and courtesy, failed to shake the opinion Of tn,
authorities. Tie inquest however, was ad
journed for few days so that inquiries
might be made concerning the bearded NAT
described by the railway clerk.
When the proceedings were resumed nothing
had boon heard Of the mysterious stranger,
There was nothing unusual about that, said
the police. A man OF extremely nervous and
retiring disposition would instInctively avoid
being mixed up in an affair OF the kind, and,
having no important testimony TO offer, would
probably keep out OF the way. AS 1t was con
sidered that further inquiry was unnecessary,
the facts at the disposal OF the police being
sufficient, the inquest was brought to con
clusion. In summing up for the jury the cor
oner weighed the evidence for the theory OF
suicide against the medical opinion, very much
In favor Of the former. The strong points In
that evidence were three-vz: "a the attitude
Of the dead man; (2) the absence of any signs
Of n struggle; and (3) the fact that Mr.. Cowen
had recently suffered several financial losses
through speculation In stocks. On this last
point several OF the deceaseds city friends
gave testimony. Mr.. Cowen, 1t appeared, was
gentleman Of considerable private fortune,
who had been induced several months before
his death to try his luck on the Stock Ex-
change. The results were unfortunate, and 1t
was asserted that when he met his fate he was
'eturning home after very "bad day."
This evidence which though plausible was
tlrcumstantial, was permitted 10 overweight
that of Dr. Ford, which was scientific and pos
tive. Assuming the latter 10 be correct, II
was argued, Mr.. Cowen was murdered. Was
such a thing conceivable, possibe' Could a
man be stabbed to death in that big artery of
human motion, the Underground Railway, and
the murderer red-handed, walk oil undetect-
.di Certainly not The idea was too absurd
10 admit Of argument So thought the po-
dee, so thought the coroner so thought the
majority Of the public, and so thought the
Jury, who returned verdict of fcio-de-Sc.
But Dr. Ford was mistaken, and he had At
least one sincere adherent-thc murdered
mans widow. Mrs. Cowen understood moth
ing Of medical science; but she knew her nus
shaken by his death Her evidence would
have touched any thirteen men less wooden
than the coroner and his jury, and, supporting
As 1t did the medical testimony, have convnc
I'd any self-opinlonated persons than the po-
lice authorities. She stated with an air Of
simple conviction that should have been ire
,istibe, that her husband was the last man in
the world to have attempted his own life. His
disposition was too hopeful, too buoyant and
mngune, to admit of such an idea His pc
,unlary losses did not appear to vex him In the
slightest degree. They were heavy, but to
man of his fortune not absolutely serious. He
was sunshine itself, she declared, and during
the twelve years Of their married life she had
never known him to experience an hours
gloom Finally, he was too fond OF his home,
Of his friends. OF his two children, OF his wife,
Of all that made life beautiful TO him, to have
taken that life himself Yet they called him
suicide.
Mr.. Jules Merlin attend led the inquest as h
witness. His evidence was Of a slight aud neg
,tive character. lie had heard no cry or noise
IF any unusual kind, and had seen no bearded
nan. The tragedy, however, had doubtless
taken place before he entered the train.
Mr.. Merlin followed the proceedings with con
siderable interest, and after the verdict he
,ought an interview with Dr. Ford.
'Your arguments interested me profoundly,
ioctor,n he said, "under the circumstances
'carcey think the verdict proper one"
at was a id improper one" declared the
ioctor bluntly. GAS surely as the coroner Is
a. H. f..
ieredn
But the motlvel" asked the other.
Excuse me, sir" replied the doctor, "but
hat question is more like that OF an imbecle
police inspector than Of a man Of sense. How
am to tell you the motivel Pm not the muir
ierer don't know him. and can't get in
ride his mind There was no evidence Of
notiven
"That was the strong point against you,'
aid Mr. Merlin with a smile. at was not
-obbery, for the mans jewelry and money were
Untouched. II was not revenge, for the man
apparently had no enemies. II had nothing
20 do with secret societies, for he belonged to
,one.n
IAN very true, Mr.. Merlin, and yet the man
vas murdered"
'You think sol''
an swear itn
Mr.. Merlin started.
''You scientists are very positive" he said.
''We are able to be, SIR. Now evidence Of
motive is a very good thing for the police TO
work upon II they can getit. When they have 1t,
ibelIeve they invariably hunt down theIrman.
A murder, however, does not necessarially
Bear the motive upon its face. Yet, judging
~ this case, no apparent motive, no muir
her, seems 10 be police AXIOM
''But the knife was found In the dead mans
1and,n urged Mr.. Merlin.
"A hand powerless to innict that death
IT.. ..,,,rl.ror mt ~ thora